Jasen Oliver drives in a freshman record 8 runs as the Hoosiers clinch the series with a 10-run victory in the late Sunday rubber match
By Carl James @jovian34 April 21st, 2024
Indiana had just 40 minutes to wipe the memory of getting run-ruled by the Gophers in the first game of the double header on Sunday, but it turned out to not be a reason to worry as the first three batters of the day scored on a Tyler Cerny three run blast. While Minnesota never quite went away, the Hoosiers managed to lead the whole game.
Indiana Hoosiers 18, Minnesota Golden Gophers 8:
Inning by inning details in the Live Game Blog | Box Score
The Hoosier offense was paced by Jasen Oliver who went 3 for 5 from the 9-hole driving in an IU Freshman record 8 runs batted in. The record he broke, was just set last week by teammate Joey Brenczewski, who had a decent 2 for 4 day of his own. Oliver’s 8 RBIs were also the most by any Hoosier since 1992. Oliver reached base four times with a single, a walk, a double and three-run homer.
Junior Nick Mitchell continued his torrid Hoosier campaign going 3 for 4 with two doubles and a walk. Devin Taylor also added a homer and scored three runs. Every Hoosier batter got at least one hit and every one scored at least one run.
The offensive explosion allowed Indiana only its fourth win of the year when the pitching allows 7 or more runs. Sophomore Brayden Risedorph got the starting call for the first time in a month and allowed 3 runs in 3.2 innings of work. Drew Buhr was solid until the last of his 3.1 innings of work when he allowed a 3-run homer. Aydan Decker-Petty allowed the tying run on deck in eighth after allowing 2 runs. Ryan Kraft came in with two outs and in that inning and got the next four batters to earn the save.
With the win and Saturday’s win, the Hoosiers take their third straight B1G series and move to 22-18 on the year, and more importantly 7-5 at the halfway mark in B1G play, good enough for 6th place and 3 full games behind league leader Illinois (who beat Indiana 2 out of 3 to start B1G play).
Next up for the Hoosiers is a neutral site non-conference clash against the Ball State Cardinals at Victory Field in Indianapolis at 6pm Tuesday night.